From Jan, no water for 1 day every week in eastern suburbs

Activists from the Swabhimaan Sanghatana, led by Nitesh Rane — son of congress leader Narayan Rane — ransacked Andheri (K-East) ward office and blackened the face of an assistant engineer of the water works department on Tuesday afternoon, reports HT Correspondent.

Activists from the Swabhimaan Sanghatana, led by Nitesh Rane — son of congress leader Narayan Rane — ransacked Andheri (K-East) ward office and blackened the face of an assistant engineer of the water works department on Tuesday afternoon.

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The group was demanding action against illegal water connections and conducted as morcha to protest for a solution to the city’s water problems. Rane did not participate in the morcha.

Agnelo Fernandes, from Swabhimaan Sangathana said: “We will not stop until we see results. Despite our requests to resolve the water crisis in the city, the BMC has ignored our complaints. Even now, the illegal connections in K-ward sell water illegally.”

Ranjeet Dhakne, assistant municipal commissioner of K-East ward said, “They put ink on our official’s face. Eight activists have been arrested in this case so far. We are trying to sort out the problems of water shortage.”

This is the second incident involving Swabhimaan Sanghatana. Two weeks ago, some activists attempted to forcibly enter the municipal corporation's headquarters and police had to use lathicharge. One activist died of heart attack in the incident.

Senior civic officials have asked the police commissioner for security of civic employees and cooperation in taking action against booster pumps.